St. Petersburg is preparing for the 200th anniversary of one its most famous historical buildings, the Kazan Cathedral on the Nevsky Prospekt.

Large-scale restoration works are now being carried out in view of the anniversary. The main task of the restorers is the recration of the altar iconostasis located in the Cathedral's north-side chapel. The iconostasis was destroyed during the Soviet years when the Cathedral housed the Museum of Religion and Atheism. Now the iconostasis is being reconstructed in accordance with old photographs dating from 1909-1911.

The columns of the Kazan Cathedral are to be washed with natural children's soap and rigid hair brushes. Splits and cracks will be strengthened with special mastic. Afterwards the stone will be tinted with lime milk to give it a warm beige shade. Altogether the specialists will repair 40 columns of the cathedral.